Tokyo stocks open lower on U.S. shares' retreat, yen's rise

TOKYO, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo stocks opened lower Wednesday as U.S. shares retreating overnight coupled with the yen's appreciation against the U.S. dollar dented investor sentiment and saw exporter-related issues drop.

As of 9:15 a.m., the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average dropped 124.64 points, or 0.60 percent, from Tuesday to 20,498.27.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, meanwhile, lost 10.84 points, or 0.70 percent, at 1,545.59.

Rubber product, oil and coal product, and mining-linked issues comprised those that declined the most in the opening minutes after the morning bell.